The Technological Revolution in Information and Communication

Many older people seem suspicious of computers and the Internet, considering it only relevant to the young and

economically active, games, travel information, buying tickets & trading on-line, not to mention pornography. It is as though the invention of the press had been dismissed as only useful for the production of comics, tabloid papers, junk mail and other trash.

Others unfortunately, while advancing their own capability in using the medium, have not thought to help others to take up and promote the advantages for groups in society for whom it could have great life enhancing possibilities. Some useful work has been and is being done by a few people but we have not been in the vanguard of what could be for us especially a truly spectacular advance.

I do not think that the impact of the Internet can be over estimated in two vital areas, both central to the theory and practice of the Humanist/Secularist movement. Explaining Humanism and enhancing the lives of the elderly and

A Communications Tool Open to All

Firstly it frees us from the chronic low level censorship, self censorship and disinformation practised in the media, and to some extent from the costs involved in advertising, which has hindered our views being communicated to the public, and largely prevented Humanist and Secularist ideas being part of public debate on the many issues on which we deserve to be heard. We have long complained that there are thousands of humanists and secularists 'out there' who do not know of the existence of our organisations. It is only by dint of persistence and effectiveness 'punching above our weight' that we have had the impact we have had relative to our numerical membership.

The religions have their inbuilt organisations, public premises, and have never had to advertise their presence. Every church has its paid activists to promote its presence and message, public notice boards and automatic access to the media. We have never had, nor are likely ever to have such advantages.

Now however we are at least no longer beholden to the 'gatekeepers' of the traditional media , press, radio and television, advertising & publishing industries. Anyone can take part in any debate at whatever level they choose. Communication and promotion of ideas and action is no longer the special preserve of an elite of 'special people' - 'writers', 'authors' , 'broadcasters', 'journalists', 'publishers' or 'editors'.

In addition both in public relations and our own activities, we no longer need to be hampered by lack of resources, especially public premises meeting places, paid activists & the other traditional assets of organised religion in our attempts to explain our views and activities.

Even within our own movement we have greater freedom to converse with others and discuss, lobby and campaign on topics which interest us. Those who do not want to attend meeting can keep in touch as and when they like at any level they choose (or will be able to when we all have the skills). For younger members & those with busy family and working lives which leave little time for outside interests & activities and older members who do not want to go out at night or do not live near to other humanists/secularists or groups keeping in touch will be easier. The ease of communication will make it more likely that anyone who wants to will be able to make contact and participate on issues or just for conversation. It may even persuade more people to join us as members!

As a Human Resource for Special Groups

The second area of importance for us is as a human resource. Not just for students doing their homework, or work related research, or a way for busy people to shop on-line, but as a basic every day-to-day resource for anyone who for whatever reason has limited mobility, or restricted lifestyle. This may be either from choice or necessity; physical, geographical, psychological; older people, people whose friends and relatives may have moved away, even emigrated; people with disabilities, especially socially isolating conditions such as deafness, and a whole variety of physical illness or incapacity; for people restricted by responsibilities such as caring for others.

The churches have always been able to support and keep contact with those within their 'fold', due to their historically dominant role in society, paid staff, premises and organisation. We cannot aspire to do that but what we can do is promote ways in which they can reach help and support easily when they need it.

All of these people can now participate on equal terms with anyone else if they want to. It opens up communication channels with friends and relatives, who may live near or on the other side of the world, fast easy communication could be a revolution for such people. Anyone, however isolated can get information, contact local or national services, join political parties, self help groups, special interest groups, shop, make friends, and communicate easily with anyone they choose.

It would be naive to think that e-mail, news groups, chat-lines, Internet can take the place of face to face human contact, but for very many this not an either/or option, and this expansion of communications could give a new lease of life to many. I think that the expansion of social and personal and political horizons will in the future be looked back on as revolutionary as printing, and television and we will wonder how we did without it.

No doubt there will be efforts to curb this freedom, if we value it we should be in there using it and helping it to remain free. The Humanist/secularist movement should do everything it can to encourage its use, and help to overcome the hesitance of those who fear its newness. Even people who do not have their own P.C.s can use public facilities in libraries, and there are hundreds of Adult Education College classes of all kinds ready to show the way. Perhaps I would like to see our movement in the vanguard (if that position is not past as I suspect is already is!), but at least not lagging behind.